Henley House

I picked the Henley House out after looking though several TripAdvisor reviews of hotels in the Kensington area of London. They seemed favorable and now we certainly agree. I have to disagree a bit with the Texan that said the staff wasn't helpful in helping them find a place for traditional fish and chips other than MacDonald's. Come on! How about the pub that is on the corner right between the hotel and the Earl's Court tube station? Duh.

It appears that Salsa-and-Chips from Central Texas had our room, #41, as did others with pictures. Maybe this is the room for folks from the Lone Star State. It was just fine. The ONLY drawback to me was the fixed overhead shower nozzle. You're going to wash your hair if you take a shower. But no big deal, really. Good location and friendly staff. No A/C, but we took a chance in late June on cool English weather and it was just fine. You could hear some Tube train noise from two blocks north, but it wasn't horrible, and it did quit after midnight. In the winter I'm sure you won't hear it at all. The elevator was small, only two people together or one with luggage at a time. How tough is that? Cost was about 71 GBP with VAT included. Wireless internet was included for no extra charge. Breakfast was only continental, but was also included with the room, It had cereals, yogurt, cheese, croissants, toast, OJ or apple juice or milk.

If you can't find something to eat within two blocks of the Earl's Court station, one must be blind. For a really good value, try the Star Kabob place a block north. I would most certainly stay here again on my next trip to London.

At check-in, we told the clerk that we'd be checking out early -- at 8:15 on a Saturday morning. We were told breakfast didn't start until 8:30, so we'd be out of luck. I told the clerk that the reason we'd chosen a B&B was to have breakfast included -- and since it was only a continental breakfast, could we pick something up the night before from the kitchen. She said she thought something could be arranged.

Well, fortunately, the kitchen staff arrives at 8:00, and while they couldn't promise that the rolls would be done cooking (they take 20 minutes to bake), they did say we could knock on the kitchen door, and the staff would be expecting us -- but that we might have to settle for toast, cereal, cheese (no rolls).

Actually, it worked out just fine, as we grabbed some cereal and cheese -- and by then, the toast was ready... and the rolls (croissants) were ready just before we left.

So, the lesson is -- if you're leaving early, ASK if they can make arrangements for you to have SOMETHING for breakfast, and they will try to accommodate.

As for the rest of the stay -- I was VERY, VERY disappointed that the desk clerk (nor his friend -- a co-worker, I assume, who sat in the lobby talking to him) could tell us where to get fish 'n chips for dinner. I mean, the clerk didn't have even ONE suggestion for this traditional English meal! He told me where an Italian place is, but we didn't want Italian food. So, I inquired of the friend (co-worker?) in the lobby. Her suggestion? (get ready for this!!) She said, "There's a McDonald's. I think they have fish. They have chicken, and I think they have fish. You might go there for fish 'n chips." MCDONALD'S?!?!?!? FOR AN EVENING MEAL OF A TRADITIONAL ENGLISH FARE?!?!? YOU MUST BE KIDDING ME!!

So, we went a couple of doors down to the Best Western. They recommended 3 places nearby, though she admitted she'd never eaten at any of them -- just heard reviews. And she gave me a map!

Then we went to another B&B a couple of doors toward the underground station, and they recommended 3 places as well. AMAZING -- hotel staff that can suggest some local places for dinner! What a concept!

Other than that, the bed was horrible. I sleep on my side, and I woke up in the night with my arm hurting becuase the bed was rock hard. The room was small, but bigger than the first B&B I visited in London. The toilet didn't flush without MUCH coaxing -- and sometimes, we'd just give up until the next time we had to go! The shower was typical English-small -- not big enough to shave your legs in comforably. And the sink had two faucets -- one for hot and one for cold (instead of one combined); so you couldn't easily shave your legs in the sink either.

The t.v. was supposed to have 5 channels (according to the desk clerk). But only 4 could be found -- and 2 of those were broadcasting the same thing. The t.v. remote would not turn the t.v. on/off either -- you had to get up to do that. And after you turn it on, press "01" on the remote to go to channel 1 -- otherwise, the t.v. just sits with the power light lit and a black screen.

The room was clean, but there were no face cloths (wash cloths). I guess this is typical in London, but it sucks if you ask me. I like to use a face cloth to wash my face (and maybe armpits!) at night -- but couldn't do so.

The B&B is also VERY convenient to the Earl's Court underground station -- about a 3 minute walk with bags (2 minutes without bags). But again, beware -- they tell you "exit the station, walk across the street, turn right, make the first left, and walk about 1 minute". Well, that's incorrect. It's actually "... turn right and make the SECOND left..." So, we got a little lost at first.

Overall, the staff was friendly enough -- albeit clueless. And they did accommodate the slightly-early breakfast. But if you stay here, do you restaurant research BEFORE you arrive! Otherwise, McDonald's will be the recommend venue for your meal!

One more thing -- there are elevators, but unless your room is right next to it, you'll still have to take some stairs (there's only one room next to the elevator, with stairs leading up or down to the other rooms on that "floor").